Key Highlights
- Embraer and Mahindra Group plan to establish C-390 Millennium MRO capability in India.
- Project linked to Indian Air Force Medium Transport Aircraft program.
- C-390 Millennium offers payload capacity of up to 26 tons with multi-mission capability.
- Proposed facility to provide maintenance, overhaul, avionics support and training services.
- Localization initiative aligned with Make in India and Atmanirbhar Bharat vision.
- India may emerge as a regional MRO hub for global C-390 operators.
Embraer and the Mahindra Group have announced plans to expand their strategic collaboration by working toward establishing a Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) capability in India for the C-390 Millennium military transport aircraft. The initiative is aligned with the Indian Air Force’s Medium Transport Aircraft (MTA) program and aims to strengthen indigenous aerospace manufacturing and long-term operational support capabilities.
The development builds on the partnership signed between the two companies in October 2025 to explore production of the C-390 Millennium in India. The proposed localization strategy focuses on building a domestic ecosystem covering manufacturing, sustainment, and lifecycle support, reinforcing the government’s ‘Make in India’ and Atmanirbhar Bharat initiatives.
The C-390 Millennium is positioned as one of the most advanced aircraft in the medium military transport category. It offers a payload capacity of up to 26 tons and is capable of performing multiple mission profiles including cargo and troop transportation, airdrop operations, medical evacuation, search and rescue missions, firefighting operations, and humanitarian assistance. The aircraft can operate from semi-prepared or unpaved runways and supports air-to-air refuelling operations as both tanker and receiver. Its operational fleet has demonstrated mission completion rates exceeding 99 percent, reflecting high reliability and operational efficiency.
Under the proposed plan, the MRO facility would deliver comprehensive in-country sustainment services such as base and heavy maintenance, structural inspections, component repair and overhaul, avionics support, and technical training. The initiative is expected to enhance aircraft availability while reducing dependence on overseas maintenance infrastructure.
Executives from both companies highlighted that the project could also expand collaboration with Indian aerospace firms, enabling deeper localization and integration into global supply chains. Beyond supporting India’s fleet, the companies are evaluating the possibility of positioning India as a regional MRO hub serving other C-390 operators worldwide.
The C-390 Millennium has already been selected by multiple countries including Brazil, Portugal, Hungary, the Netherlands, Austria, South Korea, Uzbekistan, the Czech Republic, Sweden, Slovakia, and Lithuania, demonstrating growing global adoption.
Embraer maintains a longstanding presence in India, with nearly 50 aircraft across commercial, defense, and business aviation segments currently operating in the country. Meanwhile, the Mahindra Group continues to expand its footprint across aerospace and advanced manufacturing as part of its broader diversification strategy.
The collaboration is expected to contribute to high-skill employment generation, technology transfer, and the strengthening of India’s aerospace ecosystem, while supporting future defense modernization requirements.